About the Port
Exuma stretches across a chain of cays in the central Bahamas, where shallow banks turn the sea a luminous turquoise and limestone islets rise from the water in quiet clusters. George Town, the main settlement on Great Exuma, anchors the archipelago with a relaxed waterfront and easy access to nearby beaches. The surrounding cays have earned a following for their sandbars, coral patches, and a scattering of wildlife encounters, including the free-roaming pigs at Big Major Cay and the rock iguanas found on several outer islets.
Most calls arrive by tender, so travelers step directly into small-boat excursions bound for sandbars, snorkeling reefs, or the half-submerged Thunderball Grotto. Beyond the water, the pace stays unhurried, with low-key harborfront shops and a landscape largely untouched by heavy development. It is a stop built for open water, clear light, and slow island rhythms.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Exuma Island.
Snorkel Thunderball Grotto
Swim into the half-submerged cave made famous by film, where shafts of light illuminate schools of fish darting through the limestone chamber. Reach it by short boat ride from George Town; go near slack tide for calmer entry.
Relax on Stocking Island
A quick water-taxi across the harbor delivers powder-soft sand and the shallow, glass-clear water Exuma is known for. Chat 'N' Chill beach bar makes a laid-back lunch stop between swims.
Cruise the Cays by Boat
Charter a small-boat trip through the Exuma Cays to combine sandbar stops, coral snorkeling, and wildlife sightings in one outing. Booking ahead secures a spot, since excursions run in limited groups.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Exuma Island
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 26, 2027 | Silversea | Silver Shadow | 7 | $3,920 | |
| Nov 29, 2027 | Ritz Carlton | Ilma | 6 | $7,500 | |
| Dec 3, 2027 | Silversea | Silver Shadow | 7 | $4,320 | |
| Dec 10, 2027 | Silversea | Silver Shadow | 7 | $4,240 | |
| Dec 17, 2027 | Silversea | Silver Shadow | 7 | $4,080 | |
| Dec 24, 2027 | Silversea | Silver Shadow | 12 | $5,440 | |
| Mar 23, 2028 | Ritz Carlton | Ilma | 4 | $5,500 | |
| Mar 30, 2028 | Ritz Carlton | Ilma | 4 | $5,500 |